TITLE
    AirPort Base Station: Installing in a Multiple User Environment
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
58511
11/11/99
12/9/99

TOPIC

    This article offers some guidance for using an AirPort Base Station in an environment with many users.


DISCUSSION

    Implementing any kind of network requires planning and a good understanding of the needs of your users. Among the questions to be answered are:

    • How many users will be on the network?
    • What sort of activities will the network be used for?
    • Will users be accessing the Internet regularly?
    • How will they receive IP addressing services?

    Although you don't have to run wires for an AirPort network implementation, good planning is still essential. This includes considering how the wireless functionality will be used. Will users need continuous connectivity while moving about in a single large lab or auditorium? Will they need to resume connectivity when they have moved from one room to another?

    AirPort uses the IEEE 802.11 standard and there are many high capacity 802.11 compliant devices (access points) available that provide wireless access to large numbers of users.

    In addition, although there are some limitations, an Apple AirPort Base Station can be used to provide wireless access to your wired network. If your IP access and addressing services are being provided by devices on your wired infrastructure, the Base Station can function as an AirPort-to-Ethernet bridge, which offloads much of the processing overhead present in the shared Internet access mode.


Document Information
Product Area: AirPort
Category: AirPort Base Station
Sub Category: Setup

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